Are Advanced Train Tickets valid if I miss the specified train because an earlier train is delayed?

Advanced train tickets?

• I am travelling from Liverpool Lime Street to Reading by train. My advanced ticket says I must change at Birmingham New Street but id rather change at Stafford where my 2nd train ...show more

• Answer:

  Hello I understand why you want to change at Stafford rather than Birmingham NS, as at Stafford you will just remain on the same platform for the XC service to Reading. Whereas at Birmingham NS you will need to change platforms, especially troublesome if you have heavy luggage or don't know the station. However, if both of the trains you are travelling on call at Wolverhampton (most likely your train from Liverpool is operated by London Midland, in which case it does) then it is better to change at Wolverhampton (rather than Stafford). This is because Wolverhampton is listed in XC timetable booklets as an alternative station to avoid changing at Birmingham NS. As long as you are on your booked XC train from Wolverhampton (or Birmingham) then your ticket is still valid, but you may not get a seat until after Birmingham (where your seat reservation becomes valid from).